Expert: Arthur Goldstein, M.D. - 3/8/2007

Question
I was about to have sex with my partner, she is on birth control so we do not
use condoms, and there wasnt enough lubrication when i penetrated. But i
kept going thinking it would come soon enough. But i felt a sharp pain and i
did not think much about it because it went away soon after that. we
continued only to find blood everywhere. I had torn my foreskin which looked
to be a good amount. maybe 3/4 of a centimeter or more.
Can i just clean this often and let it heal? or do i have to see a doctor?
thank you for your time.

Answer
Jake,  on the underside of the head (glans) penis in the midline, there is a band of tissue called the frenulum which contains blood vessels.  Just wash the area gently with soap and water.  If you want to apply an antibacterial cream (such as Bacitracin) or solution (such as hydrogen peroxide or Betadine that is okay also.  This tissue is very similar to the frenulum in the midline of the upper and lower lips.  I suspect that you tore the frenulum during sex.  Healing will occur on its own in 1-2 weeks just by avoiding sexual activity or further trauma.  Sometimes, as this heals, scar tissue forms and make the frenulum even tighter, and therefore, more prone to repeated trauma.  If this occurs, there is a minor operation to fix this by "relaxing" the frenulum.  If you are not circumcised, another possibility is that you might have a tight foreskin which is called phimosis.  This could also tear and bleed although if the bleeding was heavy, it probably was a frenular tear.  Good luck.